If you’ve been prescribed statins and still enjoy a drink, it’s very natural to wonder can you drink alcohol on statins without harming your health. Alcohol often feels like a normal part of everyday life, but once statins are added into the mix, questions about safety, side effects and long-term impact can start to surface.

For some people, nothing seems to change. For others, drinking alcohol while on statins slowly begins to affect energy, sleep, mood and motivation — often without an obvious connection being made.

Understanding how alcohol and statins interact can help you make calmer, more informed choices about your health.

What statins do — in simple terms

Statins are one of the most widely prescribed medications in the UK. They help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by working through the liver.

Alcohol is also processed by the liver. When you’re drinking alcohol while on statins, your liver has to work harder to cope with both at the same time. For many people this isn’t immediately dangerous, but over time the combination can place extra strain on the body — particularly if drinking becomes frequent or habitual.

This is why some people notice changes after starting statins, even if their drinking hasn’t changed much on the surface.

Mixing statins and alcohol: is it safe?

In general, moderate drinking is considered acceptable for many people taking statins. However, moderation means different things to different people. What begins as a glass or two can quietly turn into drinking most evenings, or binge drinking at weekends — especially during periods of stress, poor sleep or emotional pressure.

At this point, people often find themselves wondering:

  • Can you drink alcohol on statins every day?
  • Does alcohol make statin side effects worse?
  • Should I cut back or stop drinking now I’m on cholesterol medication?

These questions are rarely just about alcohol. They’re about feeling unsure, concerned, or wanting to protect long-term health.

Support beyond willpower

For many people, the question can you drink alcohol on statins isn’t just about safety — it’s about feeling stuck in habits that no longer feel helpful.

This is where the work of Ailsa Frank, British hypnotherapist and Hay House author of Cut the Crap and Feel Amazing, can be particularly supportive. Ailsa specialises in helping people reduce or stop drinking without pressure, judgement or extreme approaches.

Her work focuses on changing the subconscious habits behind drinking — especially for people who are busy, high-functioning and don’t relate to labels like addiction, but still feel alcohol has started to take up too much space in their life.

Statins and alcohol side effects to watch for

The side effects of mixing statins and alcohol are often subtle rather than dramatic. Because they develop gradually, they’re easy to blame on age, menopause, work stress or “just life”.

Commonly reported issues include:

  • Ongoing tiredness or low energy
  • Muscle aches or weakness
  • Poor sleep or waking during the night
  • Low mood, anxiety or irritability
  • Brain fog or poor concentration
  • Weight gain, particularly around the middle
  • Reduced motivation to exercise or eat well

When alcohol becomes a regular habit, these symptoms can start to feel normal — even though they’re signs the body is under strain.

Why cutting back on alcohol for heart health feels harder than it should

Being prescribed statins often acts as a wake-up call. Many people genuinely want to start cutting down alcohol for heart health, sleep better and feel more in control.

The frustration comes when good intentions don’t translate into change.

You know drinking less would help.
You plan to drink less.
But the habit keeps returning.

That’s because alcohol habits aren’t driven by logic alone. They’re driven by subconscious patterns linked to stress relief, switching off, reward, comfort and routine. This is why willpower often isn’t enough — and why people feel stuck even when they understand the health risks.

How hypnotherapy can help you cut back on alcohol

This is where hypnotherapy can make a real difference.

Within the Feel Amazing app, Ailsa offers private, on-demand hypnotherapy recordings designed to gently change your relationship with alcohol. Many people questioning alcohol while on statins use sessions such as:

  • Take Control of Alcohol – Ailsa’s best-selling session for reducing drinking
  • Stop Drinking Go Sober – for those who decide stopping completely feels right
  • Inner Calm – to help manage stress-driven drinking and evening cravings

These recordings work with the subconscious mind, helping change feel calmer and more sustainable — without relying on willpower or guilt.

Ailsa says:

“Medication and health warnings can make people want to change, but habits don’t live in the logical part of the brain. When you work with the subconscious, change becomes easier and far more lasting.”

A real experience from a Feel Amazing app listener

“After being put on statins I kept asking myself, can I drink alcohol on statins and still stay healthy? My GP said moderation was fine, but I knew I was binge drinking most weekends. Hypnotherapy helped me cut back naturally, and my sleep, mood and energy all improved.”

What medical guidance says

According to the NHS, statins affect the liver, which is why doctors ask about alcohol intake before prescribing them. People who regularly drink large quantities of alcohol are at a higher risk of experiencing more serious side effects, and if you are prescribed a statin you are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. The NHS also recommends regular blood tests to monitor liver health while taking statins.

The British Heart Foundation explains that most people can continue drinking alcohol while taking statins, but people who regularly drink a large amount have an increased risk of side effects and liver problems. Because statins are prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, the BHF advises making healthy lifestyle changes alongside medication — including limiting how much alcohol you drink, with guidance to stay below 14 units per week.

If you’re unsure how this applies to you personally, your GP or pharmacist can give advice based on your health, medication and alcohol intake.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink alcohol on statins?

Yes, many people can drink alcohol while taking statins, but moderation is important. Regular or heavy drinking increases the risk of side effects and puts extra strain on the liver.

Can I drink alcohol on statins every day?

Daily drinking can increase health risks over time. Even small amounts can become habitual, which is why many people choose to cut back.

What are the side effects of mixing statins and alcohol?

Common side effects include fatigue, muscle aches, poor sleep, low mood and weight gain. These are often subtle but persistent.

Does alcohol make statins less effective?

Alcohol doesn’t cancel out statins, but excessive drinking can reduce overall heart-health benefits and increase side effects.

Can hypnotherapy help me cut back on drinking?

Yes. Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious habits behind drinking, helping you reduce alcohol without relying on willpower alone.

Taking back control — gently and in your own time

If you’re questioning can you drink alcohol on statins, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re paying attention to your health and noticing that alcohol may no longer be supporting you in the way it once did.

You don’t need to panic.
You don’t need to quit overnight.
And you don’t need to rely on willpower alone.

For many people, the hardest part isn’t understanding the risks — it’s changing long-standing habits around drinking, especially when alcohol has become part of winding down, switching off or coping with stress.

This is where gentle support can make a real difference. Within the Feel Amazing app, Ailsa’s hypnotherapy recordings are designed to help you reduce alcohol naturally and calmly. Many people start with Take Control of Alcohol, which focuses on loosening the pull alcohol has over daily routines, and use Inner Calm to help manage stress and evening cravings that often drive drinking.

You can explore the Feel Amazing app in your own time and choose the support that feels right for you. Change doesn’t have to be dramatic or difficult — it can start quietly, with a decision to take better care of yourself.